Prices in Germany are normally 75% below the cost for treatment of spinal stenosis in the US and are individually quoted. They include all medical expenses, the hospital stay, surgeon's fees, operation room fees, anesthesia, anesthesiologist's fees, medicine, nursing, semi-private room, meals, pre-op diagnosis, local phone and English TV.

Spinal Stenosis: Definition

Spinal stenosis is a medical condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the natural process of degenerative disc disease that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation or a tumour. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical spine, the lumbar spine or both. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

The main causes of cervical spinal stenosis (CSS) include cervical spondylosis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), or calcification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Cervical spinal stenosis is more common in males than females, and is mainly found in the 40-60 year age group.

Symtoms of Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Symptoms of Cervical Spinal Stenosis include spastic gait; upper extremity numbness; upper extremity, lower extremity weakness or both; radicular pain in the upper limb; sphincter disturbances; muscle wasting; sensory deficits; and reflex abnormalities in reflexes. The best diagnostic and investigative tool is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment of Cervical Spinal Stenosis

If the problem is mild, treatment may be as simple as physiotherapy and the use of a cervical collar. If severe, treatments may include a Laminectomy or a Prosthetic Disc Nucleus or a Disc Replacement Surgery or a Cervival Fusion Surgeryor a Nucleoplasty, sometimes called disc decompression.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The main causes of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) include hypertrophy of the facet joints; spondylolisthesis; diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH); and degenerative disc disease. Usually, this condition occurs after the age of 50, and both genders are equally affected.

Signs of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Signs of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis include neurogenic intermittent claudication that causes leg pain, weakness, and loss of deep tendon reflexes. With lumbar spinal stenosis, the patient's pain usually is worse while walking and will feel better after sitting down. The patient is usually more comfortable while leaning forward or walking with a shopping cart.

As with CSS, MRI is the best imaging procedure, though unlike with CSS, CT may be somewhat useful, and can be used if MRI is unavailable.

Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Non-surgical treatment includes weight loss, and activity modification, such as using a walker to promote a certain posture. Epidural steroid injections may also help relieve the leg pain. If severe, treatments may include a Laminectomy or a Prosthetic Disc Nucleus or a Disc Replacement Surgery or a Cervival Fusion Surgery or a Nucleoplasty, sometimes called disc decompression.

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The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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